Joshua Wong Arrested Over Anti-mask Rally

Activist Joshua Wong was arrested for allegedly participating in an unauthorised assembly and breaching the anti-mask law during a rally October 5 last year.

Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Wong said he was arrested while reporting to the Central Police Station for another case that afternoon.

He called the latest arrest politically-motivated, saying it's aimed at creating a chilling effect in society.

“With the chilling effect generated by the Beijing authorities, it’s the third case that I need to face already since last June [when] I left prison. But no matter what happens, I will still continue to resist and hope to let the world know how Hong Kongers choose not to surrender,” he said.

“They can prosecute us, they can arrest us, they can lock us up in prison, but they can’t censor our commitment to continue to fight for freedom.”

He has been now released on bail and will appear at the Eastern Magistracy next Wednesday.

The government had enacted a rule to stop people participating in public events wearing face masks, saying it was facilitating some anti-government protesters to indulge in violence.

The law had come into effect on October 4 last year and the next day saw large groups of protesters take to the streets in different key areas against the law.

Veteran social activist Koo Sze-yiu is also said to have been arrested by police at his home and taken to Cheung Sha Wan Police Station.

The Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China, of which Koo is a member, said he was also told that he allegedly took part in an unauthorised assembly on October 5.

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